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See & Do AsiaTravel Information for the Smart Traveler™

Asia Dining Guide

From market stalls to tasting menus, the meals that define each city.

Eating well in Asia rarely means spending a lot. Tokyo's ramen counters, Bangkok's street stalls, Singapore's hawker centres and Hong Kong's dim sum halls serve some of the best food in the world at modest prices, alongside fine-dining rooms that rank among the most acclaimed anywhere.

Many popular places do not take reservations and have lines at peak times, so go early or late. In Japan, tipping is not expected; in Thailand, Bali and Hong Kong small tips or service charges are common.

Tokyo

IchiranShibuya, Shinjuku and other branches · Ramen

Tonkotsu ramen eaten in single booths, ordered on a paper form.

AfuriEbisu and other branches · Ramen

Light yuzu-scented ramen from a chain that started in Ebisu.

Gonpachi Nishi-AzabuNishi-Azabu · Izakaya

Soba, yakitori and grills in a large wooden hall.

Kyoto

Honke OwariyaCentral Kyoto · Soba

A soba maker and confectioner with roots going back to the fifteenth century.

KikunoiHigashiyama · Kaiseki

A celebrated kaiseki restaurant serving seasonal multi-course meals.

Nishiki MarketDowntown Kyoto · Food market

Stalls selling pickles, tofu, skewers and sweets to eat as you walk.

Bangkok

ThipsamaiPhra Nakhon · Thai

Pad thai, including a version wrapped in a thin omelet, served since the 1960s.

Yaowarat (Chinatown) street foodSamphanthawong · Street food

Night stalls selling noodles, seafood, dumplings and desserts.

Or Tor Kor MarketChatuchak · Market

A clean, covered market of prepared Thai food, fruit and produce.

Singapore

Lau Pa SatCentral Business District · Hawker centre

A Victorian cast-iron market hall with hawker stalls and a satay street at night.

Jumbo SeafoodEast Coast and Clarke Quay · Seafood

Chili crab and black pepper crab, two Singapore classics.

Long BarRaffles Hotel · Bar

The birthplace of the Singapore Sling, with peanut shells on the floor.

Bali

MozaicUbud · Fine dining

Tasting menus that combine French technique with Indonesian ingredients.

SardineSeminyak · Seafood

Fresh seafood in a bamboo pavilion overlooking rice fields.

Merah PutihSeminyak · Indonesian

Modern Indonesian dishes in a striking tall dining hall.

Hong Kong

Tim Ho WanSeveral branches · Dim sum

Affordable dim sum, famous for its baked barbecue pork buns.

Lin Heung KuiSheung Wan · Dim sum

Old-style dim sum served from push carts.

Yat LokCentral · Roast meats

A small shop known for its roast goose.

Maxim's PalaceCity Hall, Central · Dim sum

A large Cantonese banquet hall with dim sum carts and harbor views.

Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.

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Asia Dining — FAQ

What should I eat first in Tokyo?

Ramen, sushi, tempura, yakitori and convenience store snacks. Department store food halls and the Tsukiji Outer Market are good places to try many things.

Is hawker food safe in Singapore?

Yes. Stalls are licensed and graded for hygiene, and hawker centres are where Singaporeans eat every day.

What is babi guling?

Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig with crackling skin, served with rice and spicy sides. It is a Balinese specialty, since Bali is Hindu rather than Muslim.